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Katie Taylor made a ruthless display to dominate Miriam Gutierrez and defend all four of her world lightweight titles with a points victory.
Taylor was fierce from the bell against a previously undefeated opponent who had no answer for his speed.
She dropped Gutierrez at the end of the fourth round with a sublime combination of right and left and each time she launched an attack, a save seemed close.
Gutierrez somehow survived but lost 100-89 100-90 99-91 on the scorecards.
Promoter Eddie Hearn called Taylor “the greatest ever to do it in women’s boxing” moments after a masterclass in which he attacked Gutierrez, 37.
“I thought it was a great victory,” Taylor, 34, told BBC Radio 5 Live. “I wanted to stamp my authority early, I thought I hurt her in the first one. She was very tough and tough, it was 10 great rounds and I’m very happy.
“There are so many big fights and I want to take each and every one of them.”
‘Pushing the Boundaries’: UFC Cyborg Next?
Taylor emerged from his dressing room to the sound of ‘Sirius’, the tune the Chicago Bulls made their own during their six-time NBA championship run from 1991 to 1998.
Ireland’s wrestling hero, a 2012 Olympic champion, looked untouchable at Wembley Arena. Every gap that Gutiérrez of Spain left in his defense was found in a show of creativity, speed and precision, as the champion, one of the 1-28 favorites for the fight, lived up to her billing as the star that is taking women’s boxing to new levels.
He rarely fired a single shot, instead opting for bursts to overwhelm an opponent who seemed to be drowning in a sea of punches for the entire 20 minutes.
A quick attack in the third, built from a left hook to the body and head, was followed by a deft combination to take down his opponent in the fourth, where a few extra seconds may have offered time for a save.
In the middle stage, the only questions left were how the contest would end and where this boxing pioneer will go.
Names including Britain’s Natasha Jonas and Chantelle Cameron, a higher division world champion, are mentioned as well as a flashy contest against UFC star Cris Cyborg.
“She wants to push the boundaries,” Hearn added. “She won’t dodge one of them. I just think there’s no fight that she won’t take.”
Taylor now has 17 wins in 17 fights. His obsession with his craft will undoubtedly have you wondering how he failed to find only one seventh career stoppage.
But on a night when women’s boxing was showcased in the top three spots on the card, she dazzled and those who saw her were able to see the best in the business in full swing.
‘Compelling, non-competitive’ analysis
BBC Sport boxing correspondent Mike Costello: It feels like a pivotal moment in women’s boxing, with Katie Taylor at the forefront. There is a sense of momentum around the sport, but it lacks depth.
We need more women and girls to practice this sport.
BBC Radio Live boxing analyst Steve Bunce: She didn’t miss a second of that fight. He tried to make sure it didn’t last longer than necessary. He had never seen a smile so wide as when Gutiérrez heard the doorbell.
It wasn’t competitive but it was compelling.
Reaction: Cameron beats Taylor?
